Dresses to die for (oh and a jacket and pants)

My friend Tess was picking my brains the other day about where she could find a great party dress to wear to the multitude of weddings she has on the horizon, that would not break the bank - a common dilemma among the female of the species. I pondered for a moment then a light bulb switched on in my head. A couple of months back Stylebubble, one of the scores of fashion blogs I stalk daily, flagged up this really great label Eight London for dresses you would want to wear again and again. Above are a few from the collection. I think they’re pretty new and don’t know if they stock anywhere as they ask you to email them the design you’re interested in and your size and then send it to you I assume. But their dresses are rad, not too expensive and definitely ones I’d want to wear again and again. I particularly love the gold one! No, I haven’t bought it yet as I’m poor (there is a theme to this blog, me telling you about stuff I’m drooling over but will probably never buy!) but if you’ve got some parties to show your face at get in there, I say. P.S. Saw a very cool lady in my Cos wedges (that I didn't get) this morning. Boo hoo. x

Warning: nudie rudies

Ryan McGinley likes a bit of nakedness. The model turned photographer has spent the past few years traipsing across America taking pictures of his spectacularly attractive, and invariably butt-naked, mates in massive, often unexplored caves and other lovely natural spaces. McGinley recently exhibited his latest collection of photographs at the Alison Jacques Gallery in London and, despite it being about two streets away from my office, I was too lazy to get there. Damn. Oh well, Morel books has published the images from the exhibition and he has loads on his website. McGinley is also heading to Athens next year to showcase his work. Anyone fancy it? x

Ooh la la

I had a fantastic but fleeting weekend in Paris with my ladies Leah, Nicola and Tanya and miraculously the weather wasn’t anywhere near as bad as it was supposed to be. Early December is a great time to go. It is so Christmassy you can’t help but get in the festive frame of mind. Everyone knows the French are more stylish than the British, and the Australians, but the Christmas lights in Paris particularly kicked ass! While us Londoners have glowing advertisements for the latest, invariably awful, holiday film starring Jim Carrey, the Parisians have gob-smackingly beautiful chandeliers lighting up the streets. We laughed a lot, particularly when Leah's usually impeccable French failed us as we were ordering dinner on Saturday night, resulting in three out of four of us accidentally choosing fried intestines. I nearly gagged when Leah finally twigged and while Tanya gave a stellar effort and continued eating, half of her so-called sausage ended up on the floor. Yuck! I can still taste it! So I made it to Colette, a gorgeous clothes shop, which is ridiculously out of my price range. It was as fantastic as I expected although it was uncomfortably full as it was late Saturday afternoon so we didn’t hang around for long. I didn’t make it to Acne unfortunately as I got us all lost. Oh well, there’s one in Sydney so I’ll go in A WEEK AND A HALF!!! Sorry, the weather is just so dreadful right now I can’t help but think about 35 degree heat!! Below are some idiots we came across near the Tour Eiffel.

Another Alexa photo by Garance

As I've said before, I love these two chicky babes! Off to Paris now, have a great weekend. Bonne journée! x

A toothy issue

How cool is this bracelet! What bracelet, you say? There's just some old dentures in a glass? Well, you're mistaken. This is one of the fabulous designs by up and coming Swedish jewellery designer Martin Tallvid and I want it! Now!! The 23 year old Stockholmer started sketching a while back then he met a candlestick designer on holiday who helped him kick-start his label Mattin. "He helped me to make my sketches into little things. Later on this ended up becoming necklaces and bracelets." At the moment, Tallvid doesn't sell his jewellery in London - sorry to disappoint you all - although he's coming to town in the summer to scope for potential stockists. And by then he'll have a brand new collection to tout. Check out his website at www.mattin.se for details. "Everything around me inspires me" he says.

Boys, boys, boys

I've taken to raiding my boyfriend James' wardrobe of late. I've always loved wearing his jumpers round the house. They're just so much cosier than mine. But now I've moved on to stealing his shirts. I mainly wear them with jeans and my brogues although they look especially good with killer heels and a slap of lippy. I don't think there's much sexier than that morning after look. Now that I'm confessing I've actually been wearing his jeans to sloth around in too. They're just so slouchy and comfortable! And I've cut an old pair into jean shorts to wear in Australia. (He does know this by the way!) I don't think it is an uncommon habit but for me it definitely began when I used to wear my dad's Bonds singlets to bed as a kid. He didn't seem to mind but its fair to say James isn't a fan of me nicking his kit. At least I haven't spilt a roast dinner down the front like my friend Jade did while wearing her poor fella Chris' top! Count yourself lucky James, I say! P.S. The weather in London is absolutely miserable at the moment - freezing and pissing down with rain. Bring on Australia - I leave on the 18th... 15 days... x

Manning Cartell

I'm from Perth but as I've been living in London for three and a half years a lot has passed me by on the Australian fashion front. Loads of labels don't stock over here which doesn't help. But I try to keep in the loop as much as possible through my beautiful sisters. One of my favourite labels that has cropped up since I've been away is Manning Cartell - I will be at their Paddington shop like a shot when I get to Sydney! I love their mix of romantic shapes and playful patterns and there are at least a few sex kitten dresses in the latest collection which are to die for. I also love that the label was set up by three sisters. It makes me want to do the same with mine (although there are four of us!) Check out the website. And fingers crossed they are having the sale of the century when I'm in town! x